Cupra Ateca vs Cupra Leon

What's the difference?

The Cupra Ateca V is a much needed more affordable way into this small SUV while still offering a high-end feeling with plenty of standard features. Yes, the V isn't as high-powered as the VZx but it's still great to drive in the city and on the open road. Big on the inside and small on the outside the Cupra Ateca can perform urban and (small) family duties well.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

There's a lot to like about the updated Leon line-up, but probably not by lots of people. It won't be a best-seller, Cupra doesn't need or even want it to be. What it will do is offer something different, and in the case of the Sportstourer something very rare.

The S and VZx will face stiffer competition in the hatchback markets, primarily from Volkswagen, Audi and even Skoda, and it's hard to pick an area where they really stand out from the competition, apart from the unique styling. Not that they aren't pleasant cars to drive, it's just a crowded market.

Which is why the Sportstourer, especially with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, has a chance to be something that really sets Cupra apart from its rivals. Dynamic, efficient and different, it won’t fit in - and that’s exactly what the brand is hoping for.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Once you know the Cupra Ateca V is closely related to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq you can definitely see a resemblance. Still, all three have their own look with the Cupra clearly given the role of being the fierce, sporty one. 

While the Ateca V doesn’t have the same menacing styling as the VZx, it’s definitely a seriously sporty looking SUV with its 19-inch alloys, aggressive front bumper, triangular LED running lights and blacked out wing mirrors, roof rails and CUPRA lettering across the tailgate. 

The bronze Cupra logo really signals the sporty intent of this brand and I’ve been told on more than one occasion that it looks like a biohazard symbol by people confused by what it is I’m driving. According to Cupra the blade-like design represents “the sense of belonging to a clan”. 

Measuring 4381mm long, 1841mm wide and 1625mm tall with 2630mm wheelbase the Ateca V is about 15cm shorter in length than a Tiguan, but as you’ll see in the practicality section the interior dimensions might be larger than you think.

The Ateca V’s cabin is full of dark-coloured materials with black leather upholstered sports seats and steering wheel. In the same way it feels like Batman designed the exterior the interior it has a ‘Made in Gotham City’ feel with a brooding style incorporating high quality textures and surfaces.

Design is a key tenet of Cupra’s ethos, because while it may share Volkswagen mechanical DNA, the Spanish brand wants to really stand apart when you look at or sit inside the Leon.

While it may be the same size as a VW Golf, it certainly doesn’t look or feel like one. Yes, there’s the typical Volkswagen build quality to the fit and finishes, but overall it has a unique Spanish style to it.

On the exterior, Cupra has given the Leon a major visual overhaul with the front end featuring a new-look grille, bumper and headlights. At the rear the tail-lights have been redesigned and now incorporate the logo into a single horizontal light bar that runs the width of the rear.

Inside there’s some new materials, but the most notable change is the introduction of a 12.9-inch multimedia screen. Ambient lightning available on all three models helps to highlight the cabin design.

The Ateca V is only about 4.4m long which is a lot shorter than a Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail or Subaru Forester, which are truly mid-size SUVs. So, the Ateca is a small SUV but on the larger side compared to say a Volkswagen T-Roc.

Despite its fairly diminutive exterior proportions the Ateca V has excellent storage and is remarkably spacious. If you have a young, small family and want a five-seater SUV big enough for them but small enough to make urban driving easy the Ateca V ticks both boxes.

Up front there are the gigantic door pockets, two cupholders, a decent-sized covered centre console bin and under-dash storage with wireless phone charging and two USB ports.

The second row is incredibly spacious for a small SUV with so much room for me at 189cm tall to sit behind my driving position. Headroom is excellent, too.

There are also cupholders in the fold-down armrest, two USB ports and big door pockets.

The back door apertures are tall and wide which makes getting little kids in and out of their car seats easier for parents.

A 485L cargo capacity is large for the class and under the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel.

While we’re talking about two different bodystyles here - hatch and wagon - the front seats are the same. So you are treated to Cupra’s stylish but thoughtful layout, which looks nice but also has good practicality.

The seats themselves are comfortable, even after extended periods behind the wheel, while there’s cupholders, sizeable door pockets, a lidded centre console box and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

The previously mentioned 12.9-inch multimedia screen dominates the centre console, sitting proudly at the top of the fascia. Unfortunately, Cupra (like Volkswagen) has fallen to the modern trend of ‘touch controls’ rather than physical buttons.

Not to sound like an old man yelling at clouds, but these touch-sensitive sliders are simply not as user-friendly, especially in a moving vehicle, as a traditional physical button or dial. While the multimedia system is easy to use, especially with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay fully integrated, adding dials for the stereo (on/off and volume) and the climate control would have been great.

Otherwise, the 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system with subwoofer and 390W amplifier sounds great, offering a premium in-car entertainment experience to match the Cupra’s price and positioning.

As for space in the back, which is obviously where the hatch and Sportstourer vary. There isn’t a lot to split them in terms of passenger space. These are both small cars, so neither offer the kind of room you’d get from an equivalent-sized SUV. The real difference is the cargo capacity, the hatch pair offer 344L (or 888L with the rear seats down) whereas the Sportstourer has a more generous 470L/1045L.

Knowing that hatchbacks and wagons aren’t big sellers and Cupra’s desire to stay boutique rather than mainstream, the line-up is relatively simple.

The Leon S kicks off the range at $46,990 (all prices listed exclude on-road costs) and comes with 18-inch black and silver alloy wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, heated sports bucket seats, tri-zone climate control and a six-speaker sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Leon VXz starts at $64,990 and includes 19-inch black and copper alloy wheels, multi-link rear suspension, adaptive dampers, front locking differential, upgraded brakes, quad exhaust and Cupra drive modes. There’s also leather-appointed seats and a 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system.

The VZe Sportstourer completes the line-up priced at $69,990 featuring unique 19-inch black and copper alloys, LED headlights and tail-lights, a power tailgate with handsfree opening and black roof rails. Inside it gets leather-appointed sports seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, native navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus the 12-speaker Sennheiser stereo.

The Ateca V has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 140kW and 320Nm. That’s a step down in output compared to the VZx’s 221kW and 440Nm, but the V doesn't feel underpowered.

A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission shifts gears lighting fast with the drive going to all four wheels. Yes, it’s all-wheel drive.

The three Leon models all feature a different powertrain, as each is targeting a distinctly different buyer.

The Leon S is powered by a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance. 

The Leon VZx gets a more potent 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 221kW/400Nm, to put it right at the heart of the hot hatch market.

The Leon VZe Sportstourer manages to combine efficiency with performance, with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to an electric motor to make an efficient 200kW and 400Nm.

The one thing all three have in common is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive.

Cupra says that after a combination of open and urban roads the Ateca V should use 7.1L/100km. That’s not hugely fuel efficient and urban consumption of 8.6L/100km will mean higher fuel bills than a hybrid SUV of this size.

On the launch we saw a fuel consumption average of 7.7L/100km and that’s after city roads, motorways and country roads.

Once we have the Ateca V in our CarsGuide garage we’ll be able to perform a real-world test of its fuel consumption.

The Ateca V has a 55-litre fuel tank and requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. Theoretical driving range is around 775km.

Naturally, the three different powertrains provide three very different fuel economy numbers.

The mild-hybrid system in the Leon S allows it to use just 5.4L/100km, which provides a theoretical range of up to 833km thanks to its 45-litre fuel tank.

The VZx is the thirstiest member of the range, not surprisingly, using 7.6L/100km. With its 50-litres tank it has a theoretical driving range of approximately 650km.

Finally, the Sportstourer VZe manages a claimed 0.4L/100km on paper, thanks to its 20kWh battery providing up to 121km of electric-only driving range. Obviously achieving that claimed figure in the real world is incredibly difficult (as it is with any PHEV) but we still managed to use just 2.4L/100km on our mostly extra-urban test drive, which is still a good return.

The launch of the Ateca V saw us drive the V and the VZx back-to-back, which highlighted how good the V is for the money when it comes to its on-road performance.

The 2.0-litre engine is superbly responsive with loads of torque for such a small petrol SUV, while the dynamics were equally impressive on winding country roads. Even when those roads occasionally and suddenly turned from bitumen to dirt at 100km/h excellent all-wheel drive traction kept everything under control.

The Ateca V we tested has the optional Tech Package fitted which adds dynamic chassis control and adjusts the suspension in the Comfort drive mode setting to a softer level compared to the firmer level in Sport. The ride in any mode, however, is comfortable with great handling. 

As standard the Ateca V is given sports suspension and after a quick sample of the Ateca V with this set-up I also found the ride to be comfortable and composed.

There's good visibility even through the rear window, along with nicely weighted accurate steering and a good pedal feel under my feet make the Ateca V effortless and enjoyable to drive.

Obviously there are three very different variants in the Leon range, with three different powertrains and two different body styles, and yet there is a familiar feeling between all three when you’re behind the wheel.

This is arguably the ‘most Volkswagen-y’ element of the Cupras, with the solid, stable Volkswagen underpinnings coming through. This is, of course, not a criticism, but rather highlights the positive connections between Cupra and its parent company, which has allowed it to make an immediate impression on the Australian market.

However, it also means the Leons feel so familiar that they don’t leave you with a unique impression and driving character.

For example, the VZx is almost too good, too quick and too clinical. It lacks the excitement and engagement rival hot hatches offer, notably the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R, but instead compensates by just being really capable.

Obviously, that may not be seen as a negative by everyone and for those who want that sort of engaging, dare I say ‘fun and edgy’, driving experience the Leon VZx may not be precisely what they are looking for. Still, the engine is potent and even the lack of all-wheel drive doesn’t dampen its performance abilities too significantly compared to the likes of a VW Golf R or Audi S3.

The Leon S offers a different proposition, a warmed up hatch, rather than something hot. On that front it delivers, providing a well-mannered drive but without the punch of the VZx.

The Sportstourer is arguably the pick of the range, with its combination of sharp driving dynamics and very efficient powertrain. At no point do you feel like Cupra compromised its sporty intent to make the Sportstourer save fuel. Instead, the PHEV powertrain offers plenty of performance when you need it but is otherwise quiet and efficient the rest of the time, helping it to sip fuel at a much lower rate than its Leon hatchback alternatives.

The Cupra trio come loaded with plenty of safety features including 10 airbags for excellent passive protection plus autonomous emergency braking, front and rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning and driver fatigue monitoring.

For convenience and safety there’s also adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and even self-parking.

As the Leon has had no major structural changes, the original 2021 five-star ANCAP rating still applies. However, it should be noted that ANCAP updated its testing protocols in 2023, so that five-star rating is different to a five-star rating applied since then.

The Ateca V is covered by Cupra’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing needed every 15,000km or annually.

You can buy a five-year service plan for $1990 - which isn’t overly pricey.

All three Leons are covered by Cupra Australia’s standard warranty, which covers the first five-years/unlimited kilometres. Which is good, especially for a new and more premium brand, even if it’s obviously short of the best-in-market.

Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km, whichever comes first, and Cupra is offering a servicing pack special until the end of 2025, of $1990 for five years. That works out to an average of $398 per year.

Cupra is expanding its dealer network in Australia too. The Leon drive event we attended began at the newly-opened Cupra Macarther in Sydney’s growing west. There’s also a new dealership at Melbourne’s Essendon Fields.

Of course, one of the key advantages that Cupra has over many other new brands to Australia is its Volkswagen/Audi connections, which allows its models to be serviced at those dealerships as well. That provides a much larger footprint for customers to find somewhere convenient to service their car, which cannot be underestimated.